International Symposium on Uranium Raw Material for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Exploration, Mining, Production, Supply and Demand, Economics and Environmental Issues - IAEA CN-216

Actual uranium mining and exploration in Niger

Jun 25, 2014, 5:00 PM

VIC, Poster area (Vienna)

Poster Advances in exploration and uranium mineral potential modelling Poster Session

Speaker

Mr MAMANE KACHE (Ministère des Mines et du Développement Industriel)

Description

The search for uranium in Niger began in the 60s and its mining in the 70s. As given the drop in uranium prices in the 80s, these activities decreased significantly. The exploration activities took place in 2006 when many mining companies were very interested in the research of this radioactive metal (uranium). In 2007, Niger had more than 150 exploration licenses (all minerals included) whose more than 100 uranium exploration permits. It had two (2) uranium operating mining companies (COMINAK and SOMAIR) till 2008 and it passed to four (4) mining companies in 2009. At the end of 2011, Niger got a third operating mining company (SOMINIA). In 2013, 88 exploration licenses (all minerals) are valid whose 59 for uranium exploration, one mining company in development (IMOURAREN) and one exploration company (GOVIEX) is advanced in exploration activities which can be the mining companies in 2 or 3 years.